Why do we read? At its heart, reading is about experiencing lives beyond our own – stepping into different worlds, understanding new perspectives, and expanding our horizons.
Yet when we rely solely on bestseller lists and automated recommendations, we often find ourselves reading from the same world view over and over again, and missing out on countless powerful voices and perspectives.
If you are not consciously and actively seeking books by diverse authors, the best-selling books that Americans read by default are written overwhelmingly written by white authors. While finding books by authors from diverse backgrounds requires intentional effort, the rewards of a more varied reading list are immeasurable.
In this guide, we'll show you practical, actionable ways to diversify your bookshelf and transform your reading journey.
Why Diversify Your Bookshelf?
Despite increasing calls for change in the publishing industry, change has been slow, and the industry remains overwhelmingly white. According to a diversity study by Lee & Low, the publishing industry is 72% white, and 77% at the executive level. This is compared to 59% of the US population that identifies as non-white or Hispanic.
This lack of diversity is reflected in the makeup of authors. A New York Times review of English-language fiction books published between 1950 and 2018 found that "of the 7,124 books for which [they] identified the author’s race, 95 percent were written by white people." And while the trend improved somewhat in the last decade, the data for 2018 still showed that only 11% of published books were written by authors of color.
Best-seller lists follow suit. In 2020, only 10%, or 22 out of 222, of the books on the New York Times best-seller list for fiction were written by non-White authors.
When we limit ourselves to a narrow range of authors and perspectives, we're missing out on the rich tapestry of human experience that literature can offer. Diverse books don't just introduce us to new stories - they challenge our assumptions, broaden our worldview, and help us develop greater empathy and understanding.
This isn't just about checking boxes or meeting quotas. It's about enriching our reading experience and supporting voices that have historically been underrepresented in publishing.
Set a Reading Intention or Goal Around Diverse Authors
A great way to start is by setting concrete, measurable goals for your diverse reading journey.
You can now set and track your annual reading resolutions on the Bookclubs app or website. Just navigate to your profile, and then to your 2025 Reading Goals. In addition to setting a goal for number of books read over the course of the year, you can set an intention about diversifying your bookshelf.
Here are some example goals that you could set for yourself or your book club:
- Ensure 50% of your reading lists includes women authors
- Ensure at least 25% of your reading lists includes authors from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Read 3 books that have been translated from another language, or that are written by an author from a different country than yours
- Love romances? Read at least one novel a featuring an LGBTQ+ relationship
- Read a book from a local author representing a minority community in your area
- Support underrepresented authors by reading 2 debut books from authors of color or LGBTQ+ authors
Sync Up Your Reading With Heritage Months
One great way to diversify your reading across multiple aspects of diversity is to use Heritage or Cultural Celebration months as an impetus to read a book from an author of that heritage or culture. Here are some of the key celebratory months in the United States - and our reading guides for them!:
- February: Black History Month: Must Read Books By Black Authors
- March: Women's History Month: Must Read Books for Women's History Month
- May: Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month: Must Read Books by AAPI Authors
- June: Pride Month (LGBTQ+): The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List
- September 15 - October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month: The best books for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month: 5 must-reads for Native American Heritage Month
In addition, in the US there are many additional celebrations:
- March 8: International Women's Day
- March 13 - April 15: National Deaf History Month
- March: Irish-American Heritage Month
- March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
- April: Arab American Heritage Month
- May: Jewish-American Heritage Month
- June: Caribbean-American Heritage Month
- June 19: Juneteenth
- July: Disability Pride Month
- August: Women in Translation Month
- October: Filipino-American Heritage Month
- October: Polish-American Heritage Month
- October: Italian-American Heritage Month
- October 5 - 11: Banned Books Week - check out our Banned Books Book Club Guide
- October 11: National Coming Out Day
- 2nd Monday in October: Indigenous People's Day
How to Find Diverse Books
While the Bookclubs' suggested reading lists linked above are a great starting point, there are numerous tools to help you discover diverse authors and stories:
Social Media Communities Reading Diverse Stories
You can search for tags like #DiverseBooks, #DiverseReads, #RepresentationMatters and #OwnVoices, as well as specific tags like #BlackAuthors, #SharingIndigenousStories, #LatinxAuthor
You can also follow book influencers who focus on amplifying diverse voices. Here are some we follow:
- Esther Fung of @estherfungreads
- Morgan Menzies of @prettylittlebookshelf
- Glory Edim of @wellreadblackgirl
- Julia Readus of @readbyjules
- Wale Okerayi of @theehottgirlbooks
- Erica Bernal of @litinabookclub
Literary Awards & Recognition for Diverse Authors
There are several book awards focused on specific author communities:
- NAACP Image Awards (Black literature)
- Lambda Literary Awards (LGBTQ+ literature)
- Stonewall Book Awards (LGBTQ+ literature)
- Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
- Asian Prize
- Latino Book Awards
- Women's Prize
- Carol Shields Prize for Fiction (Women authors)
- International Booker Prize (fiction translated into English)
In addition, books awarded prizes from prize committees tend to be more diverse in general than bestseller lists, so it's also helpful to browse other prize-winning book lists.
Book Clubs Reading Books by Diverse Authors
Sometimes the best way to be exposed to new books is to join a new book club reading the types of books or authors you don’t usually gravitate towards on your own. Here’s a list of public book clubs focusing on books by diverse authors:
- Book clubs reading books by women
- Book clubs reading books by BIPOC or other underrepresented authors
- Book clubs reading books by queer and LGBTQ+ authors
Publishers and Publishing Imprints Championing Diverse Voices
While the industry still has a long way to go, there are publishers and imprints that focus on showcasing a diverse range of authors. Some of them include:
- One World (Penguin Random House)
- Akashic Books
- Seven Stories Press
- Lee & Low (children's literature)
- Feminist Press
- Beacon Press
Engage in Meaningful Discussion
The true value of diverse reading comes alive through thoughtful discussion. We love discussing books that open our eyes to different perspectives with our book clubs. Here's are some of our tips to create an inclusive and enriching dialogue:
- Listen deeply. Practice active listening without interrupting. Create space for everyone's input in the discussion.
- Ask thoughtful questions. Come prepared (see below). Consider the author's background and intention. Connect themes to contemporary issues.
- Handle sensitive topics with care. Respect personal boundaries. Allow for different emotional responses.
One of the best ways to ensure a successful book club meeting is to come prepared with good discussion questions. A great list of discussion questions can help you avoid awkward silences and move your club beyond obvious questions like whether or not you liked the book. A great place to start is Bookclubs' Book Club Discussion Guide center, which has guides for hundreds of titles. We’ve also got a special set of discussion questions for banned books. If you can’t find a guide for the book your club is reading, we’ve put together a helpful list of 125 book club questions for any book. For clubs that discuss online, we’ve got a guide for how to run an online book club discussion.
Taking Action Beyond Reading
In addition to diversifying your own reading list, here are some additional ways you can support diverse authors:
- Purchase books from independent and minority-owned bookstores
- Write thoughtful reviews on reading platforms (including Bookclubs!)
- Share recommendations within your networks
- Attend author events and book launches
- Advocate for diverse literature in schools and libraries
Conclusion
Diversifying your bookshelf is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Each book you read from a new perspective enriches your understanding and opens doors to more discoveries. Start small, stay consistent, and watch as your literary world expands in ways you never imagined.
Remember: The goal isn't to check boxes or meet quotas – it's to interact with the full spectrum of human experience. Every book you read creates ripples of change, both in your own understanding and in the broader literary landscape.
With time, diversity will become a natural part of your reading selection process. Start your journey today!
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